Chapter 3

I Have A Conscience, Too

It was pretty early, but he decided he would walk up to the Kuchiki estate anyway. It wasn't like he had anything better to do. It was a nice day, so he wouldn't mind waiting for Kuchiki to get up. As he finished walking up the hill, he saw a tiny figure sitting on the gate. When he got closer he could see that it was his favorite recruit. She didn't seem to notice that he was coming her way. It looked like the girl was just staring off into a distance. Ah, I can't resist... He slowly walked up to her and put his lips close to her ears.
"Boo!" The girl jumped and fell off the gate.
"Kaien-Dono!" She screamed. "Don't sneak up on me and scare me like that!" He couldn't do anything but laugh.
"Relax, Kuchiki. It was just a joke, and it's not my fault you get scared so easily. Maybe we'll have to work on that too." He grabbed her hand and picked her up. This time she quickly released her grip. He didn't seem to notice. "Eh, Kuchiki...where's you zanpakuto?"
"Kaien-Dono! You said that it's too early to practice with real zanpakutos!"
"Oh...did I forget to tell you? All new recruits have special training tomorrow. I think you have to fight someone...I don't want anyone to doubt how great you really are. They should know you for your skills and not for your name." The girl began to blush. She obviously didn't receive compliments too often. She's too cute. He began to feel himself blush. He brushed the hairs on the back of his head trying his hardest not to. "What the hell are you doing Kuchiki? Go run and get you zanpakuto!"
"Y-yes Kaien-Dono" The girl quickly ran back to the manor, anxious to get her sword.

"Alright Kuchiki, stop stalling and show me your release." Her fighting skills had improved since the first day they trained and he was proud, but she couldn't rely on just her combat skills. He looked at her. She had a confused expression. "Eh, Kuchiki, what's wrong?"
"I...I don't have one" she stuttered.
"Sure you do, all you have to do is find your inner world." Ok, so maybe it isn't that easy, but she'll definitely be able to do it.
"How?"
"Well, it's different for everyone. I actually had to get knocked out before I could enter mine." She had that scared expression on her face again. "Eh, Kuchiki, don't worry about it. Just relax, and see what your zanpakuto has to tell you." She stopped worrying and closed her eyes. She seemed to be concentrating real hard. After a minute or so, she opened her eyes and had a smile on her face.
"Dance, Sode no Shirayuki." The sword began to transform. A ribbon came out of the bottom of the handle as every part of her sword became white. She had a grin from ear to ear. That's what I've been looking for: that smile. About time she let it out!
"Kuchiki! That's amazing!" He didn't even bother to stop flattering her after she began to blush. "I think you may just have the most beautiful zanpakuto I've ever seen." She was turning a bright shade of red. "Now, I want you to do me a favor. See if she tells you anything else."
She stopped and closed her eyes again. "She told me that you should back up." He was a little confused but did what she told him to. "First dance, tsukishiro!" The ground began to turn to ice. She quickly ran out of the circle. Everything above the circle, including the air, began to freeze. He couldn't help it; he got too excited. He ran over to her, scooped her up in his arms, and spun her in circles.
"That's great, Kuchiki! I'm so proud of you!" He just couldn't stop laughing. He was so proud of her. She was laughing too, but then she stopped. Her silence made him uncomfortable. She seemed to remember that she was a Kuchiki, and Kuchiki's don't laugh, let alone get themselves spun around by their vice-captains. "Sorry, I guess I got carried away."
"K-aien-Dono..."
"No, Kuchiki, it was completely my fault." He didn't want her to feel guilty or anything. "You said that was a dance, huh?"
"Yea, that's what she called it. I guess it's kind of weird." Why the hell does she always have to doubt herself?
"There's nothing wrong with your zanpakuto having dances. Nejibana does." She had a confused expression on her face. "Oh, you've never met Nejibana have you?" Well, it's about time they meet. He began to twirl his zanpakuto. "Uncoil the liquid heavens, Nejibana." Nejibana slowly transformed into what is reminiscent of a trident. Water was coming from both ends. The girl's purple eyes widened. "Alright Kuchiki, take your stance." She did as she was told and they began to battle.

She was actually doing real well for a rookie. He had no idea that she would be able to improve so quickly. They were both completely focused on the battle. Kuchiki had used her dance, and Kaien just barely avoided it. Actually, he unintentionally counter-attacked it by bumping into her. They both collided and fell on the ground. Nejibana was still spitting out water, soaking the both of them. They began to laugh. Kaien looked at Kuchiki. Her hair was covering her eyes. They're too beautiful to have hidden. He raised his hand and slowly brushed her hair behind her ear. They both stopped laughing. He moved his hand away, brushing her cheek with his thumb. He lifted her head up and began to move his closer to hers. They were so close that he could feel her warm breath on his lips. He closed his eyes; he could have sworn that she did too. You're married. He stopped and opened his eyes.
"K-kaien...Dono..." She whispered lightly. Shit, I screwed up.
"I-I'm sorry Kuchiki…" he stroked the back of his head, looking for words. "…I-I don't know what just happened…"
"Kaien Dono..." she was still in shock, "it's alright…"

Shit… what the hell just happened?

A/N: I started out hating this chapter (while I was writing it), but I ended up loving it once I finished. I'm sorry if it sucks more than the other chapters…I didn't have my usual "proofers" helping me on this. Kaien didn't do more than was stated in the chapter, sorry, maybe later. I'm not sure if Nejibana does have "dances", but Rukia says that his movements are similar to a dance, so I figured I'd put that in.